Ejection-type key retainer



Sept- 11, 1951 L. KNIEBES 2,567,816

EJECTION-TYPE KEY RETAINER Filed May l5, 1950 IN VEN TOR. 4LOWELL KNIEBES ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 11, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,567,816 l Y EJEcrIoN-TYPE KEY RETAINER.

Lowell Kniebes, Coloma, Mich.

Application vMay 15,1950, Serial No. 161,944

4 Claims.

My invention relates to key holders or key retainers.

An important object of my invention is to provide a compact key retainer permitting interchangeability of keys; one that is provided with ejection mechanism to permit the key to be in- 1sgeted into an operative lock to which it is t- Another object of -my invention is to provide spring means to urge the key and the key ejector mechanism, normally, in compacted arrangement concealing the key.

A further object of my invention is to provide an ejector-type key retainer of the aforementioned character which will maintain one or more keys compactly Within its confines, make a key readily available for instant usage, and a mechanism which will protect the pockets of a garment from becoming torn by the rough portions of the key combination.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for readily interchanging keys and securing them to the ejector or slider mechanism provided on the key holder.

Other objects, ancillary features, and advantages to be derived from my invention will become readily apparent from a cursory examination of the accompanying drawings, taken in connection with the elucidation in the ensuing description, wherein like numerals are used to designate like parts, and in which: Y'

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of my invention showing certain portions thereof cut away in section, in order to more clearly illustrate the elemental structure thereof.

lll

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional View of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of Fig. 1 taken along the lines bisecting the rear roller supports of the structure.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the ejector in maximum ejected position to permit removal of a key therefrom, or to permit insertion of a key thereinto.

Referring to the various Views, my invention is generally designated 5, and consists of a case 6 having a slotted opening from end to end along the longitudinal axis thereof, providing a bottom portion 8 which is cut out arcuately as indicated at 9 in order to facilitate removal from, or assembly to, the ejector mechanism of keys as will appear hereinafter as the description progresses.

The top portion of the case 6 is provided with an elongated slot I1 to limit the ambital move- 2 ment of the ejector mechanism generally designated Il.v

The ejector designated II is motivated Within the confines of the slotted portion I'I heretofore mentioned, when the key designated I0 is to be ejected from the case 6 in order that it be inserted into a llock for opening or locking the said lock.

The ejector mechanism consists of a top portion designated I2 having a bored portion VI4 for securing it to the lowermost section of the ejector designated I5, which has a .protuberance or boss I6 fitted into the bored portion. I4 on the lower surface I3, being held in place securely by the oval-head screw 2l having its threaded portion 28 secured to the boss portion I6 holding the unit firmly in place and assembly.

The slider has a guide portion 3l operating Withinthe slot Il; a recessed portion 32 With a iilleted enlargement is provided for snap engagement of the hollow rivet I8, which has a head portionY I9 secured flush Within the confines of the counter-sunk portion 2U in the bottom section I5 of the ejector II. The said hollow rivet I8 is provided with slotted portions I8 terminating in the enlarged openings 3l] in order to provide resilience to the lip 29 so that it may engage in snapping relationship with the filleted portion 32.

The key I0 has a hole in it Which is mounted on the hollow rivet I8. j

The boss portion I6 is provided with an arcuate cut-out portion 33 in order to locate the spring 2|I firmly in place. The spring 2| is of endless construction and has portions of its peripheral f portion mounted in triangulated arrangement over the boss portion I6 and the arcuate cut-out portion 33 and the rollers generally designated 25. The said rollers also are provided with locating reduced lleted portions 26 so that the spring will be confined in its place in triangulated arrangement as heretoforey mentioned. The rollers 25 facilitate the movement of the spring in its elongation and contraction depending upon the forward movements of the ejector structure I I, or its return to normal position.

The tubular elements, or bushings 25, are pivoted about the oval head screws 22 provided with an enlarged shoulder portion 23 acting as a guide for the bushings or tubular members 25 and a reduced threaded portion 24 so as to hold the bushings 25 in place.

It is to be noted that the bushings 25 are slightly shorter in length than the height of the slot 1 so as to permit their free rotation whenever the spring 2| is actuated.

In order to insert or remove a key it is necessary to bring the ejector ll to its outermost position in the slot I1, hold it there, rmly in place, to permit grasping the head I9 of the hollow rivet I8 by the ngers of the hand, since the arcuate opening 9 aords clearance therefor, so that the rivet I8 may be pulled out disengaging the lip 29 from the lleted portion 32, whence the key I may be removed, or a new key inserted, hollow rivet I8 subsequently being forced back into place whereby its lip 29 will engage in snap relationship the flleted portion 32. The ejector is then allowed to assume its normal position by actuation of the spring 2l and the unit is ready for use. When the key l0, mounted within the unit, is to be utilized, the ejector is forced outwardly against the tension of the spring 2| to its outermost position in the slot Il, then the kel7 operating portion 34 extends beyond the confines of the case 6, and may be inserted into the lock for locking or unlocking operations.

After the key has been used for its intended purposes, the ejector mechanism is released and it returns to normal position so as to conceal the key within the casing 6.

The knurled portion 35 is provided to facilitate actuation of the ejector mechanism when the key is to be exposed outside of the connes of the casing 6.

It is to be understood that changes may be Y made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus disclosed and revealed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A pocket key retainer, comprising a case provided with a slotted opening longitudinally therethrough and an elongated slotted portion on its top surface, ejector means slidably mounted in the said case and provided with guide means operatively associated with the said elongated slotted portion and having a top portion extendingv beyond the width of the said slotted portion, hollow rivet means removably secured to the said ejector means adapted to support removably a key thereon, bushing means rotatably mounted within the confines of the said slotted opening and located at one end of the said case, and endless spring means interconnecting the said bushing means and the said ejector means to maintain the said ejector means normally in retracted position.

2. A pocket key retainer, comprising a case provided with a slotted opening longitudinally therethrough and an elongated slotted portion on its top surface, ejector means slidably mounted in the said case and provided with guide means operatively associated with the said elongated slotted portion and having a top portion extending beyond the width of the said slotted portion, hollow rivet means removably secured to the said ejector means adapted tosupport removably a key thereon, bushing means rotatably mounted within the contines of the said slotted '4 opening and located at one end of the said case, and endless spring means interconnecting the said bushing means and the said ejector means to maintain the said ejector means normally in retracted position, the said bushing means and the said ejector means being provided with iilleted portions to locate the said spring means in fixed position.

3. A pocket key retainer, comprising a case provided with a slotted opening longitudinally therethrough and an elongated slotted portion on its top surface, ejector means slidably mounted in the said case and provided with guide means operatively associated with the said elongated slotted portion and having a top portion extending beyond the width of the said slotted portion, hollow rivet means removably secured to the said ejector means adapted to support removably a key thereon, bushing means rotatably mounted within the confines of the said slotted opening and located at one end of the said case, and endless spring means interconnecting the said bushing means and the said ejector means to maintain the said ejector means normally in retracted position, the bottom surface of the said case being provided with an arcuate cut-out portion to facilitate removal of the said hollow rivet means for interchangeability of keys to be mounted thereon.

4. A pocket key retainer, comprising a case provided with a slotted opening longitudinally therethrough and an elongated slotted portion on its top surface, ejector means slidably mounted in the said case and provided with guide means operatively associated with the said elongated slotted portion and having a top portion extending beyond the width of the said slotted portion, hollow rivet means removably secured to the said ejector means adapted to support removably a key thereon, bushing means rotatably mounted within the confines of the said slotted opening and located at one end of the said case, and endless spring means interconnecting the said bushing means and the said ejector means to maintain the said ejector means normally in retracted position, the said bushing means and the said ejector means being provided with lleted portions to locate the said spring means in xed position, the bottom surface of the said case being provided with an arcuate cut-out portion to facilitate removal of the said hollow rivet means for interchangeability of keys to be mounted thereon.

LOWELL KNIEBES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,745,836 Miller' et al Feb. 4, 1930 2,076,895 Johnston Apr. 13, 1937 2,484,547 Bishop Oct. 11, 1949 2,500,198 Mullan Mar. 14, 1950 2,547,524 Gross Apr. 3, 1951 

